Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2015, published 105th ILC session (2016)

Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) - Dominican Republic (Ratification: 1964)

Article 2 of the Convention. Equality of opportunity for men and women. The Committee notes the indication in the Government’s report, in reply to its previous comments, that the promotion of equality of opportunity for men and women occurs in all occupational areas and that the impact of the measures taken under the National Plan for Gender Equality and Equity (2007–17) can be seen in the increased participation of women in activities traditionally performed by men. The Committee also notes with interest the ratification of the Workers with Family Responsibilities Convention, 1981 (No. 156), and the Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189). The Committee further notes the institutional report of the Ministry for Women setting forth the objectives relating to the integration of women in the labour market. However, the Committee observes that, according to the data of the National Statistics Office, the respective employment rates of men and women in 2014 were 68.7 per cent and 46.1 per cent, while the unemployment rate stood at 4.5 per cent for men and 9.5 per cent for women, and that marked occupational segregation persists. The Committee requests the Government to continue taking steps to promote equality of opportunity and treatment for men and women in respect of employment. The Committee also requests the Government to send information on the specific impact of the measures taken in the context of the National Plan for Gender Equality and Equity (2007–17) and also of the measures taken by the Ministry for Women to increase women’s participation in the labour market, including in sectors where jobs are predominantly occupied by men. The Committee requests the Government to supply statistical information disaggregated by sex, sector and level of occupation.

Access to training. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the National Plan for Gender Equality and Equity (2007–17) has led to an increase in women’s participation in university education and technical training. The Government adds that between 2009 and 2014 a total of 12,520 women were trained in sectors where men predominate, such as: automotive engineering (1,030 women), electronic and electrical maintenance (3,970 and 3,531 women, respectively), and masonry work. This has been reflected in a 2 per cent increase in women’s participation in the labour market between 2012 and 2015 but the Government does not indicate in which sectors. The Government points out that women accounted for 65.26 per cent of enrolments in further education in 2011, and for every 100 men enrolled in 2013 there were 170 women. The Committee requests the Government to continue taking steps to increase women’s participation in vocational education and training, including in sectors where men traditionally predominate, and to send information in this respect, including on any obstacles and difficulties encountered.

HIV and AIDS. The Committee notes the Government’s indications, in reply to its previous comments, that awareness-raising workshops have been held on the labour rights of workers living with HIV and AIDS. As a result of these activities, 17 enterprises have pledged to implement anti-discrimination policies in relation to HIV. The Government also states that 233 evaluation and monitoring visits have been conducted in private enterprises, including in export processing zones. Training activities have also been carried out at the Ministry of Labour to improve knowledge, attitudes and practices and achieve uniformity of criteria with the labour inspectorate regarding the treatment of HIV and AIDS. In addition, workshops have been held at laboratories with a view to avoiding any HIV testing requested by enterprises. Furthermore, the Technical Unit for Comprehensive Care (UTELAIN) at the Ministry of Labour provides assistance for persons living with HIV and AIDS. The Government also refers to a case of discriminatory dismissal on these grounds where intervention by the labour inspectorate enabled the dismissed worker to be reinstated. The Committee requests the Government to continue sending information on the steps taken to prevent and eliminate discrimination on grounds of HIV and AIDS, and on any complaints of discrimination on those grounds that have been submitted, the outcome thereof, penalties imposed and compensation granted.

Enforcement. The Committee notes that the 2014 institutional report of the Ministry for Women lists a number of training activities for labour inspectors relating to gender equality. The Committee requests the Government to send information on the type of training given to labour inspectors and on infringements detected by them in relation to all aspects of application of the Convention and the measures taken in this respect.